Who painted Paris Scene with Bridge?

Paris Scene with Bridge was painted by Jean Charles Cazin in 1871.

Where can I see Paris Scene with Bridge?

Paris Scene with Bridge is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Paris Scene with Bridge?

Paris Scene with Bridge is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Paris Scene with Bridge?

Museum-quality prints of Paris Scene with Bridge are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Paris Scene with Bridge

Jean Charles Cazin , 1871

Paris Scene with Bridge is an oil painting by the Realist artist Jean Charles Cazin. It dates from 1871 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left: J C Cazin

About this work

Subject & Meaning

It reflects Cazin's interest in atmospheric effects and the changing light characteristic of Impressionist-influenced realism.

The painting shows a riverside view of Paris centered on a bridge, capturing the city's urban atmosphere and daily activity. It reflects Cazin's interest in atmospheric effects and the changing light characteristic of Impressionist-influenced realism. The composition emphasizes naturalistic detail while conveying the mood of the Parisian environment, with the bridge serving as both literal structure and an emblem of modernity and connectivity in late 19th-century France.

Technique & Style

The work is executed in oil paint on a wood panel support, measuring 24.4 cm in height and 21.2 cm in width. The handling emphasizes atmospheric tonality and soft, blended brushwork, typical of Cazin's later landscapes, to render the muted light and reflections around the bridge. The composition balances loose, atmospheric passages with carefully described architectural details of the bridge and riverbank, conveying a quiet, introspective mood. No specific condition notes are provided in the cited sources.

History & Provenance

Paris Scene with Bridge by Jean-Charles Cazin is executed in oil on wood panel. Its documented ownership history begins with the Carroll Carstairs Gallery in New York. The work was sold on 3 March 1943 to Ailsa Mellon Bruce of New York.

Following her death in 1969, the painting was bequeathed to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 1970. This ownership chain is verified by curatorial records and the Ailsa Mellon Bruce notebook held in the gallery's archives.

Overview

Jean‑Charles Cazin’s 1871 work, Paris Scene with Bridge, is an oil painting executed on a wooden panel. The composition captures a tranquil urban street in the French capital, with a modest bridge visible in the distance. The overall tone is subdued, employing a restrained palette that conveys a sense of calm and everyday quietude.